Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Brian M. McPhillips Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 2nd Tank Battalion
- Location of Service: Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Iraq
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/30813
Brian McPhillips graduated in 2000 from Providence College, and he enlisted in the Marines. When the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, Brian was a platoon commander in charge of a convoy of 35 vehicles. The officer in charge of a scout platoon was injured, and Brian took his place. During the drive to capture Baghdad, determined to stop for nothing, they ran into an ambush on April 4. Brian was killed by a shot to the back of his head. In this 2005 interview, his father David, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, talks about his son's commitment to his men and his mission.
Brian M. McPhillips Collection
Interview / Recording
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PlayBrian's duties in Iraq as a platoon commander; mission began on March 30, 2003, and his parents didn't hear from him again; they did see a picture of him taken by a news photographer in a tactics meeting; he took over a scout platoon from an injured commander; they were on their way to Baghdad, determined to stop for nothing, on April 4; ran into an ambush in which Brian was killed; Iraqi civilians along the road had tried to warn the soldiers from not proceeding any farther; Brian was shot in the back of the head and immediately lost consciousness and was dead at the scene. 00:13:29.2 - 00:20:52.0
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PlayBeing informed of Brian's death; at 5 a.m. on a Sunday; Marines were at the family's door; even though they were very polite, David wanted them to leave because of what they represented; people who remember Brian best are other veterans. 00:24:29.2 - 00:26:28.4
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PlayTalked to the driver of Brian's tank; he said Brian "never showed one ounce of fear;" the fatal round actually penetrated his helmet; he was awarded a Bronze Star; Camp Lejeune dedicated a building to him. 00:29:09.3 - 00:32:40.8
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PlayThe difference between the support given to the Vietnam era vets and the men and women serving in the current war; state police shut down a major highway for Brian's funeral procession; David was relieved to be able to deliver the eulogy without breaking down. 00:45:17.8 - 00:49:13.2
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About this Item
Title
- Brian M. McPhillips Collection
Names
- McPhillips, Brian M.
- Concord Oral History Program
- Garrelick, Renee
Home State
- Massachusetts
Headings
- - McPhillips, Brian M.
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 2nd Tank Battalion
- Location of Service: Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Iraq
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 2000-2003
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2005-03-18; 2009-08-20)
- Photograph: Copy photographic print [1 item] -- Portrait (collected 2001)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2005-03-18)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2005-04-14)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2005-03-18)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/30813
Cite as
- Brian M. McPhillips Collection (AFC/2001/001/30813), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image